Top 17 Music Publishing Investors in the US
Top 17 Music Publishing Investors in the US
The music publishing industry in the US plays a crucial role in the ecosystem of songwriting and music distribution. Various companies, from major labels like Universal Music Group to independents such as Reservoir Media, focus on managing rights, licensing, and maximizing the value of musical works. As digital streaming dominates how people consume music, publishers are adapting to evolving technologies and business models, seeking innovative ways to monetize their catalogs. With ventures into NFTs and AI-driven music creation, the industry looks poised for transformation, emphasizing the need for deeper partnerships and agile strategies as it navigates the future.
This diverse group of 17 investors spans various types, including corporate giants like Sony Music Entertainment and innovative venture capitalists such as Greycroft. Hailing from key cities like New York and San Francisco, these firms showcase their presence in scaling music-related ventures from multiple sectors. With sizes ranging from small entities to massive corporations and having made numerous investments in 2024, their pursuit of growth highlights their commitment to reshaping the music publishing world and fostering new talent.
Top 17 Music Publishing Investors in the US
1. Warner Music Group
- Website: wmg.com
- Type: Corporate
- Headquarters: New York, New York, United States (USA)
- Founded year: 1958
- Headcount: 1001-5000
- Number of deals in 2024: 4
- LinkedIn: warner-music-group
Warner Music Group Corp. is a prominent music company based in New York, founded in 1958. It operates extensively in the music industry, focusing on both recorded music and music publishing. The company provides a range of services to artists and songwriters, including music distribution and rights management. In 2025, Warner Music Group acquired a controlling stake in Tempo Music Investments, showcasing their commitment to expanding their music publishing portfolio. Additionally, their acquisition of Spinnin' Records for over $100 million highlights their strategy to enhance their presence in the music market. Furthermore, the acquisition of the complete Atlantic Records catalog of the British rock band YES underscores their ongoing investment in music publishing and catalog management. Overall, Warner Music Group serves both businesses in the entertainment sector and consumers who enjoy music, making them a key player in the music publishing landscape.
2. Universal Music Group
- Website: universalmusic.com
- Type: Corporate
- Headquarters: Santa Monica, California, United States (USA)
- Founded year: 1934
- Headcount: 5001-10000
- Number of deals in 2024: 9
- LinkedIn: universalmusicgroup
Universal Music Group (UMG) is a leading music production company based in Santa Monica, California, founded in 1934. UMG offers a wide range of services including music production, artist management, and distribution, and is dedicated to supporting artists and songwriters in navigating the complexities of the music industry. In 2024, UMG announced its acquisition of Downtown Music Holdings for $775 million, which includes significant music publishing assets such as CD Baby and Songtrust. This acquisition aims to enhance UMG's market share and strengthen its position in the music publishing sector. Additionally, UMG has been active in acquiring various music labels, including the British classical label Hyperion Records in March 2023 and a majority stake in the independent music company PIAS in October 2024. These transactions reflect UMG's strategic focus on expanding its portfolio in both music production and publishing, making it a key player in the music publishing industry.
3. 500 Global
- Website: 500.co
- Type: Venture Capital
- Headquarters: San Francisco, California, United States (USA)
- Founded year: 2010
- Headcount: 201-500
- Number of deals in 2024: 98
- LinkedIn: 500-startups
500 Global is a venture capital firm and startup accelerator based in San Francisco, California, founded in 2010. The firm specializes in investing in early-stage technology companies, providing funding, mentorship, and resources to help founders scale their businesses. In the music publishing context, 500 Global has made notable investments, including in SoundBetter, which raised funds in a seed round in 2013, and HAAWK, a rights management and content monetization company that raised funds in both 2017 and 2023. These transactions highlight 500 Global's engagement with innovative startups in the music industry, showcasing their commitment to supporting growth in this sector.
4. Concord
- Website: concord.com
- Type: Corporate
- Headquarters: Nashville, Tennessee, United States (USA)
- Founded year: 1969
- Headcount: 501-1000
- Number of deals in 2024: 1
- LinkedIn: concordofficial
Concord is a corporate investor based in Nashville, Tennessee, founded in 1969. As a prominent music publisher and entertainment company, Concord specializes in sound recordings, music publishing, and theatrical performance rights. They have a diverse catalog that spans various genres and support artists and songwriters in managing their music rights. Notable transactions include the acquisition of Pulse Music Group, where Concord secured a majority stake and established a joint venture for music publishing, enhancing their investment in talent. Additionally, they acquired Fania Records and Publishing, significantly boosting their catalog with approximately 19,000 master recordings and 8,000 compositions in the Latin music genre. These strategic acquisitions highlight Concord's active role in the music publishing sector and their commitment to expanding their influence in the industry.
5. Sony Music Entertainment
- Website: sonymusic.com
- Type: Corporate
- Headquarters: New York, New York, United States (USA)
- Founded year: 1929
- Headcount: 5001-10000
- Number of deals in 2024: 13
- LinkedIn: sony-music-entertainment
Sony Music Entertainment is a prominent music entertainment company based in New York, specializing in music production, distribution, and artist management. Founded in 1929, the company has a diverse portfolio that includes various media projects such as podcasts and documentaries. In recent years, Sony Music has made strategic acquisitions to bolster its position in the music publishing industry. Notable transactions include the acquisition of Columbia Records, which enhances their artist roster, and Milan Records, a leading soundtrack label that strengthens their foothold in film and television music. Additionally, the acquisition of Alamo Records for approximately $250 million further integrates a diverse range of artists into their catalog, which is crucial for music publishing. These transactions reflect Sony Music's commitment to expanding its influence in the music publishing landscape.
6. SV Angel
- Website: svangel.com
- Type: Venture Capital
- Headquarters: San Francisco, California, United States (USA)
- Founded year: 2009
- Headcount: 1-10
- Number of deals in 2024: 44
- LinkedIn: sv-angel
SV Angel is a venture capital firm founded in 2009, based in San Francisco, California. The firm specializes in early-stage and growth-stage investments, primarily in the technology sector. SV Angel provides financial backing, strategic advice, and access to a vast network of industry experts to help startups navigate business challenges. Notably, SV Angel has participated in significant transactions within the music industry, including a seed funding round for Splice, a platform for music creators that raised $2.75 million in 2013, and Genius, which raised $1.9 million in a seed round in 2011. These investments highlight SV Angel's interest in supporting innovative companies that cater to music creators and the broader music publishing landscape.
7. Goodwater Capital
- Website: goodwatercap.com
- Type: Venture Capital
- Headquarters: Burlingame, California, United States (USA)
- Founded year: 2014
- Headcount: 51-200
- Number of deals in 2024: 41
- LinkedIn: goodwater-capital
Goodwater Capital is a venture capital firm based in Burlingame, California, founded in 2014. The firm specializes in consumer technology and supports seed-stage entrepreneurs by providing investment, resources, and a community to help them grow. Goodwater Capital focuses on various sectors, including healthcare and financial services, aiming to improve access to technology solutions for underserved communities. Notably, they participated in the seed round funding for SoundMint, a platform that creates generative music NFTs, highlighting their engagement in the music technology space. This involvement suggests that while their primary focus may not be solely on music publishing, they are open to investing in innovative music-related ventures.
8. Amazon
- Website: amazon.com
- Type: Corporate
- Headquarters: Seattle, Washington, United States (USA)
- Headcount: 10001+
- Number of deals in 2024: 37
- LinkedIn: amazon
Amazon.com, Inc. is a multinational technology company based in Seattle, Washington, primarily known for its e-commerce platform. Founded in 1994, Amazon has expanded its services to include cloud computing, online advertising, digital streaming, and artificial intelligence. As an investor, Amazon has been active in various sectors, including music. Notably, through its Alexa Fund, Amazon has invested in companies like Splash, which aims to improve AI-powered virtual instruments and enhance music experiences, and Yousician, a music education platform that raised $28 million in a Series B round with Amazon's participation. These investments reflect Amazon's commitment to innovation in the music industry, alongside its broader technology and entertainment initiatives.
9. TechNexus Venture Collaborative
- Website: technexus.com
- Type: Venture Capital
- Headquarters: Chicago, Illinois, United States (USA)
- Founded year: 2007
- Headcount: 11-50
- Number of deals in 2024: 5
- LinkedIn: technexus
TechNexus Venture Collaborative is a venture capital firm based in Chicago, Illinois, founded in 2007. The firm specializes in creating growth opportunities for corporations and entrepreneurs through joint ventures, investment funds, and a collaboration center aimed at fostering innovation and market entry for startups. TechNexus has been involved in several notable transactions in the music industry, including a significant investment in LANDR, a Montreal-based platform that raised $26 million in its Series B financing round, which was led by Sony Innovation Fund. Additionally, TechNexus participated in funding Rapchat, an app designed for producing, sharing, and discovering hip-hop tracks, which raised $1.6 million in venture funding. These transactions highlight TechNexus's active role in supporting ventures that contribute to the music publishing landscape.
10. Greycroft
- Website: greycroft.com
- Type: Venture Capital
- Headquarters: New York, New York, United States (USA)
- Founded year: 2006
- Headcount: 51-200
- Number of deals in 2024: 20
- LinkedIn: greycroft-partners
Greycroft is a venture capital firm founded in 2006, based in New York City, specializing in technology investments across various sectors, including software, sustainability, and consumer brands. The firm provides capital and expertise to startups and emerging companies, helping them grow and scale their operations. In recent years, Greycroft has made significant investments in the music technology space, including a $4 million seed round for Mayk.it, a platform designed to facilitate music composition and sharing, and a $4 million seed funding for Riffusion, a generative AI music startup. These transactions highlight Greycroft's commitment to supporting innovative companies that are transforming the music industry, particularly in areas that intersect with music publishing.
11. Reservoir Media Management, Inc.
- Website: reservoir-media.com
- Type: Corporate
- Headquarters: New York, New York, United States (USA)
- Founded year: 2007
- Headcount: 51-200
- Number of deals in 2024: 1
- LinkedIn: reservoir-media-management-inc-
Reservoir Media Management, Inc. is an independent music publisher and rights management company based in New York City, founded in 2007. The company specializes in music publishing, licensing services, and artist management, representing a diverse catalog of songs for various media applications. Reservoir Media has been actively acquiring music catalogs to enhance its portfolio, including significant transactions such as the acquisition of Shapiro Bernstein's catalog, which includes over 16,000 copyrights featuring songs from iconic artists like The Beatles and Michael Jackson. In 2021, Reservoir acquired Tommy Boy Music for approximately $100 million, which includes over 6,000 masters from renowned artists. Additionally, they acquired the publishing catalog of Lastrada Entertainment, comprising over 5,600 compositions, and the catalog of jazz legend Sonny Rollins, further solidifying their position in the music publishing industry. Their operations span multiple locations, including Los Angeles, Nashville, Toronto, London, and Abu Dhabi, catering to businesses in the entertainment industry seeking licensed music for film, television, and advertising.
12. The Raine Group
- Website: raine.com
- Type: Venture Capital
- Headquarters: New York, New York, United States (USA)
- Founded year: 2009
- Headcount: 201-500
- Number of deals in 2024: 8
- LinkedIn: the-raine-group
The Raine Group is a New York-based investment bank founded in 2009, specializing in advisory and investment services within the technology, media, and telecommunications (TMT) sectors. They provide a range of services including mergers and acquisitions advisory, private capital raising, and growth equity investments. The Raine Group has made notable investments in the music industry, including a significant Series A investment in Amuse, a music distribution platform, which raised $15 million in May 2018. They also led a substantial investment in SoundCloud, which aimed to secure the platform's independent future and enhance its tools for audio creators. Additionally, they participated in a Pre-Seed round for MusicInfra, which raised $4.5 million in March 2025, focusing on music infrastructure. Their involvement with C3 Presents and Firebird further showcases their engagement in the music and entertainment sectors, highlighting their strategic focus on companies that contribute to the growth and development of the music publishing landscape.
13. Deep Tech Fund (an Alumni Ventures Fund)
- Website: av.vc
- Type: Venture Capital
- Headquarters: Manchester, New Hampshire, United States (USA)
- Founded year: 2023
- Headcount: 51-200
- Number of deals in 2024: 258
- LinkedIn: deep-tech-fund-av-focused-fund
Deep Tech Fund (an Alumni Ventures Fund) is a venture capital firm based in Manchester, New Hampshire, founded in 2023. The firm provides accredited investors and institutions with access to professionally-managed, diversified venture portfolios, leveraging a network of over 10,000 investors to connect them with high-quality investment opportunities in the startup ecosystem. Notably, the fund has participated in several transactions relevant to the music industry, including an investment in Moises, a music-tech company that raised $8.65 million, and Napster, which raised an undisclosed amount. These investments highlight the fund's engagement with innovative companies in the music sector, showcasing their potential interest in music publishing.
14. Accel
- Website: accel.com
- Type: Venture Capital
- Headquarters: Palo Alto, California, United States (USA)
- Founded year: 1983
- Headcount: 51-200
- Number of deals in 2024: 101
- LinkedIn: accel-vc
Accel is a venture capital firm founded in 1983, based in Palo Alto, California, specializing in investing in startups and early-stage companies primarily in the technology sector. With a global presence that includes offices in London, India, and China, Accel has a diverse portfolio. Notably, they have invested in Myxt, a collaborative music workplace, providing seed funding to support the development of its centralized audio platform and community of creators. This investment reflects Accel's engagement in the music industry. Additionally, while they have been involved in significant funding rounds for major players like Spotify, their direct investments in music-related startups like Myxt highlight their potential relevance in the music publishing sector.
15. Apple
- Website: apple.com
- Type: Corporate
- Headquarters: Cupertino, California, United States (USA)
- Founded year: 1976
- Headcount: 10001+
- Number of deals in 2024: 7
- LinkedIn: apple
Apple Inc. is a technology company based in Cupertino, California, specializing in consumer electronics, software, and digital services. Founded in 1976, Apple has grown to become a leader in innovation, offering products like iPhones, iPads, and Macs. In recent years, Apple has made strategic moves in the music publishing industry, including the acquisition of BIS Records to enhance its Apple Music Classical app, which aims to expand its classical music offerings. Additionally, Apple acquired Primephonic, a classical music streaming service, to improve the classical music experience for its subscribers. Furthermore, Apple participated in a $50 million investment in UnitedMasters, a platform that empowers artists by providing them with direct access to fans and control over their work. These transactions highlight Apple's commitment to the music industry and its role as an investor in music publishing.
16. Primary Wave
- Website: primarywave.com
- Type: Corporate
- Headquarters: New York, New York, United States (USA)
- Founded year: 2006
- Headcount: 11-50
- Number of deals in 2024: 3
- LinkedIn: primary-wave-music
Primary Wave Music is a corporate investor based in New York, specializing in music publishing and talent management. Founded in 2006, the company manages the rights of iconic artists and songwriters, providing services that include marketing, film and TV production, and digital marketing. Their clientele encompasses both individual artists and corporations seeking music for various media. Notably, Primary Wave has made significant investments in the music publishing space, including the acquisition of an 80% share of Bob Marley's music publishing catalog for $50 million, which underscores their commitment to managing valuable music assets. They also acquired Sun Records for approximately $30 million, which included master recordings and music publishing rights of legendary artists. Furthermore, their minority equity investment in Premier Music Group illustrates their strategy to leverage resources to expand influence in the music and culture sectors. These transactions highlight Primary Wave's active role in the music publishing industry.
17. New Enterprise Associates (NEA)
- Website: nea.com
- Type: Venture Capital
- Headquarters: Menlo Park, California, United States (USA)
- Founded year: 1977
- Headcount: 51-200
- Number of deals in 2024: 57
- LinkedIn: new-enterprise-associates
New Enterprise Associates (NEA) is a venture capital firm founded in 1977, based in Menlo Park, California. NEA specializes in investment management and advisory services for startups, particularly in the technology and healthcare sectors. The firm partners with entrepreneurs to provide funding and strategic guidance, emphasizing long-term relationships with founders. NEA has been involved in several notable transactions in the music industry, including significant investments in Luminary Media, which raised $60 million in 2019 and $40 million in 2018, focusing on audio content. They also led a $4.5 million Series A funding round for Popdust in 2012, a platform aimed at expanding editorial efforts in music. More recently, NEA invested $40 million in Music AI in 2025, indicating their ongoing interest in technology that intersects with the music sector.
Music Publishing Insights: Key Investors in the US
| Investor | Headquarter | Size | Founded | Deals 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Warner Music Group | New York, New York, United States (USA) | 1001-5000 | 1958 | 4 |
| Universal Music Group | Santa Monica, California, United States (USA) | 5001-10000 | 1934 | 9 |
| 500 Global | San Francisco, California, United States (USA) | 201-500 | 2010 | 98 |
| Concord | Nashville, Tennessee, United States (USA) | 501-1000 | 1969 | 1 |
| Sony Music Entertainment | New York, New York, United States (USA) | 5001-10000 | 1929 | 13 |
| SV Angel | San Francisco, California, United States (USA) | 1-10 | 2009 | 44 |
| Goodwater Capital | Burlingame, California, United States (USA) | 51-200 | 2014 | 41 |
| Amazon | Seattle, Washington, United States (USA) | 10001+ | 37 | |
| TechNexus Venture Collaborative | Chicago, Illinois, United States (USA) | 11-50 | 2007 | 5 |
| Greycroft | New York, New York, United States (USA) | 51-200 | 2006 | 20 |
| Reservoir Media Management, Inc. | New York, New York, United States (USA) | 51-200 | 2007 | 1 |
| The Raine Group | New York, New York, United States (USA) | 201-500 | 2009 | 8 |
| Deep Tech Fund (an Alumni Ventures Fund) | Manchester, New Hampshire, United States (USA) | 51-200 | 2023 | 258 |
| Accel | Palo Alto, California, United States (USA) | 51-200 | 1983 | 101 |
| Apple | Cupertino, California, United States (USA) | 10001+ | 1976 | 7 |
| Primary Wave | New York, New York, United States (USA) | 11-50 | 2006 | 3 |
| New Enterprise Associates (NEA) | Menlo Park, California, United States (USA) | 51-200 | 1977 | 57 |
Want to find more investors focusing on the music publishing industry?
If you want to find more investors that are active in the music publishingindustry, you can do that with Inven. We built this list and analysis throughInven's Investor Search, and there are a lot more private equity, venturecapital, and corporate investors like these globally.With Inven, you'll also get to know:
- Deal History: Number of deals and their sizes.
- Portfolio: Companies they've invested in.
- Contact data: Key dealmakers, including their emails and phonenumbers.
- ...and much more!
.jpg)
Trusted by 700+ companies
